Interlocking toy construction block



Patented July 15, 1941 UNITED INTERLOCKING T0 6 Claims.

This invention relates to toy construction blocks and particularly interlocking blocks.

An object of the invention is to provide a toy construction block having a very simple interlocking provision adapting a set of such blocks to be safely and easily assembled or disassembled by children. I

Another object is to provide blocks as above described, with which may be assembled and interlocked boards largely increasing the structural possibilities of the blocks.

A further object is to provide a set of blocks and boards safely and strongly interlocking, and sufiiciently simple and versatile to be assembled into groups simulating such structures as beds, pianos, tables, shelves, boats, etc.

These and various other objects the invention attains by the construction hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view in partial section of an assembly of the improved blocks, showing features of their individual construction.

Fig. 2 is a side view of two of the blocks, positioned to receive and interlock with suitable boards.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a group of the improved blocks assembled with said boards to simulate a bed.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an end board of the improved block.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an assembly of the blocks in column form.

In these views, the reference character I designates four boards morticed together as indicated at 2 to form a hollow rectangular body of square'cross-section, and 3 designates rectangular end boards each having rabbets 4 at two opposed edges and having its other two edges set back from the corresponding side faces of the block a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the boards I. Said rabbets produce square portions 5 which are snugly fitted into the ends of said body and further produce oppositely projecting flanges 6. The described set-back relation of two edges of each board 3 to corresponding sides of the block produces a pair of rabbets 'l at each end of the block. The length of the boards I is substantially equal to twice the width of the block, and said flanges extend from the square portion 5 a distance approximately twice the thickness of the boards I. The boards comprising each block are rigidly and permanently held together Y CONSTRUCTION Richard H; Stone, Birmingham, Mich. Application July 1, 1940, Serial No. 343,313,

and in proper mutual engagement by glue, nails, or in any other ordinary manner.

Since the projecting extent of the flanges 6 beyond the body is approximately equal ,to the depth of the rabbets l, twoof the flanges of one block may fit into two rabbets l of an adjacent and parallel block 'locking the blocks against relative longitudinal movement.

In Fig. 2 a pair of blocks is disclosed one superposed on the other with their flanges 6 abutting. This arrangement leaves between the bodies of the blocks a space in which two boards 8 of suitable dimensions may fit side by side to form a bed (Fig. 3) or other object. Thickness of the boards 8 is equal to twice the projecting extent of the fianges fi, whereby such boards arranged as described, are locked from lateral movement and lock the blocks against endwise movement. The blocks and boards have rounded edges and corners so that they may be handled without discomfort.

Fig. 5 shows how a column may be formed by superposing several pairs of the blocks one on another. By disposing each pair of blocks transversely to the underlying pair, and by having the flanges 6 project upwardly and downwardly, an interlock is established such that disassembly may be efiected only by lifting the blocks vertically.

Simplicity is a requisite in blocks of this sort, since children must be able to understand readily how to interlock them, and the present invention is believed much superior in this respect to prior developments. Since innumerable uses and different constructions may be made of the blocks they are highly educational for children, providing a safe constructive outlet for their ideas and experiments. Also the simple construction lends itself to facile and inexpensive production.

The essential feature of the described block is the provision of flanges laterally projecting from the ends of two side faces of the block, and of rabbets suited to accommodate such flanges at the ends of the two other side faces. This interlocking feature retains a decided appeal for children old enough to lose interest in plain construction blocks. Children too young to appreciate the interlocking feature can nevertheless derive pleasure and training by arranging the blocks in simple combinations. The simplicity of the interlock, however, enables children to utilize this feature at a very early age.

The invention is presented as including all such changes and modifications as come within the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. A construction block of elongated rectangular form, correspondingly rabbeted at two opposed edges of each of its ends and formed with oppositely projecting flanges at the other two edges of each end, said rabbets and flanges having approximately the same dimensions, whereby two of such blocks may be interlocked by engaging two of said flanges at opposite endsof one block in two of the rabbets at opposite ends of the other block.

2. A construction block as set forth in claim 1,

, secured to the ends of said body and correspondingly oppositely projecting beyond two opposite sides of the body to form flanges and inwardly spaced from the other two sides of the body to form rabbets, said flanges and rabbets having substantially the samedimensions, whereby two of such blocks may be interlocked by engaging two of said flanges at opposite ends of one block in two of said rabbets at opposite ends of the other block.

4. A construction block as set forth in claim 3, said body being hollow and the end boards having portions projecting into and snugly fitting said body.

5. A construction block as set forth in claim 3, said body being hollow; and theinner face of each end board being rabbeted at opposed edges of said face to form said flanges and to adapt a 'portion of the board to snugly fit within said hollow body.

6. The combination with two elongated rectangular blocks, similarly formed at their ends -with fianges of substantially the same height :extend through said space inside by side relartion, interlocking'the two blocks.

RICHARD H. STONE. 

